The third chapter of Season 2 of "Nine Perfect Strangers" unfolds with Martin voicing his apprehensions about Masha's stewardship of their project. He harbors doubts about her suitability to spearhead their endeavors, yet Helena brushes aside his misgivings with a nonchalant shrug. Meanwhile, Helena herself is faring poorly, as she isolates herself in the bathroom, where she coughs up blood, a grim harbinger of her declining health.
The following morning, Masha discovers Agnes slumbering on the cold, unforgiving floor, consumed by guilt over a past sin that still weighs heavily on her heart. Agnes remains tight-lipped about the specific nature of her guilt, stemming from a harrowing incident shared with Masha, a memory she grapples with—the lingering sorrow of a fatality she cannot forgive herself for. More revelations on this haunting tale are forthcoming.
Absent from the retreat is David, confined to solitary confines away from the collective. Undeterred by his absence, Masha proceeds with their scheduled regimen, initiating the Protocol. This entails Martin guiding the group on a solitary expedition into the nearby town.
Conversely, David finds himself paired with Masha for her midday ritual—a trek through the snow-covered terrain, culminating in a stark ritual: shedding their clothing down to their underwear and plunging into icy waters. The extreme conditions eventually overpower David, who succumbs to unconsciousness.
Elsewhere, the rest of the retreat participants venture into the valley, indulging in retail therapy and scenic vistas. Their journey concludes at a hidden museum, where Martin provides a briefing to the group. Each member receives a thermos containing their initial dosage of medication.
Agnes's reaction to the medication is immediate and dramatic. She hears phantom church bells ringing in her ears, triggering a wave of panic as the medication's side effects take hold. Driven by an overwhelming urge, she exits the museum and follows the auditory mirage to a nearby church. Inside, she seeks solace in the confessional booth, pouring out her sorrow over her inability to hear the divine voice anymore, fearing it might never return.
In bygone days, we came to understand that Sister Agnes was compelled to carry a pregnancy to term, defying the mother's apprehensions, ultimately resulting in the tragic demise of both mother and child. This haunting ordeal has weighed heavily on her conscience, a burden she has struggled mightily to unload. Meanwhile, Victoria seemed unperturbed, that is, until she ventured into a neighboring café, where she suddenly found herself unable to lift her arm. Her paranoia spiraled as she imagined every gaze fixed upon her, losing all semblance of composure.
In stark contrast to this unfolding drama, everyone else (with the exception of Agnes) remained confined within the museum walls. Martin wrestled with maintaining the facade of normalcy, as Peter and Imogen engaged in a scene reminiscent of a sitcom, while Brian indulged in an elaborate costume. Eventually, Martin's attention was drawn to Agnes's absence, prompting him to rush out in search of her. He eventually tracked her down inside the confessional booth, where she was repeatedly slamming her face against the wooden panel. The priest within, oblivious to the turmoil outside, cursed under his breath, lamenting about some "damn hotel."
Martin sat beside Agnes, offering heartfelt apologies for the events that had transpired. He conceded that he should never have conducted the experiment single-handedly and expressed his discontent with Masha's absence. Agnes speculated that Masha might have been summoned by a "higher purpose," a notion that only served to widen the rift between Martin and Masha.
As Peter and Imogen retreated to the hotel, locked in an amorous embrace and ready to indulge in their passion, they were taken aback to find David asleep in his bed. The situation turned incredibly awkward, offering a glimpse into the strained dynamics between them. David, sensing the tension, eventually vacated the room.
However, all of this was meticulously orchestrated by Masha, who sought to probe David's emotions and gauge his turmoil over his encounter with Peter. While this ploy successfully stirred the pot, it also revealed an undeniable hostility between Masha and David, a conflict that promises to be explored in greater depth in future episodes.
